March 29, 2024

Lincoln-based nonprofit Cedars introduced plans Wednesday for a first-of-its-kind housing facility for pregnant and parenting teenagers.

The 6,800-square-foot-facility — named “Carriage Home” — will function an growth to Cedars’ south Lincoln campus at 6601 Pioneers Blvd.

The nonprofit, which serves susceptible Nebraska kids and households with out secure housing, will enable pregnant and parenting teenagers to remain on the facility for 3 to 4 months in one of many Carriage Home’s flats, Cedars CEO Jim Blue mentioned in a information launch Wednesday afternoon.

The housing facility — which can value round $3 million and can be funded by way of a public-private partnership — can have 4 one-bedroom flats and two two-bedroom models, Blue mentioned. There may even be widespread area for teenagers and workplace area for workers to supply supervision and help to residents.

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Lancaster County is appropriating $250,000 for the undertaking, and the state is tacking on one other $1 million because the group launches a fundraising marketing campaign for an extra $800,000 in non-public donations to pay for the undertaking in full.

Cedars has already secured almost $1 million in non-public funds for the ability, Blue mentioned.

The ability will assist fill the gaps for an underserved inhabitants in Lincoln, in accordance with the 75-year-old nonprofit’s information launch.

Cedars estimates that there are greater than 350 youths experiencing homelessness every day within the Lincoln space — almost 100 of whom are pregnant or parenting their very own younger kids.

Along with housing, residents on the Carriage Home may even obtain life abilities coaching resembling prenatal care, parenting, vitamin, budgeting, family upkeep, continued schooling or employment, and instruction on tips on how to entry well being care and different sources.

Residents may even have entry to psychological well being companies.

Attain the author at 402-473-7223 or [email protected]. On Twitter @andrewwegley